Can You Continue Driving with a Leaking Rear Axle?
1 Answers
Driving with a leaking rear axle is not advisable. Excessive oil leakage can directly affect the normal lubrication of the rear axle, accelerating premature wear of mechanical components. Additionally, leaked oil often enters the brake drum, reducing braking efficiency and compromising driving safety. Causes of rear axle oil leakage include loose or damaged oil filler and drain plugs, which should be regularly inspected and replaced on schedule; worn or hardened oil seals, incorrectly installed oil seals, misalignment between the oil seal and shaft neck, or grooves worn into the shaft neck, necessitating timely oil seal replacement; deformed or poorly machined mating surfaces, and thin, hardened, or damaged sealing gaskets, requiring replacement with higher-quality surfaces; loose or damaged fastening screws, clogged vent holes, casting defects, or cracks in the axle housing, which should be promptly inspected and replaced; and overfilling of gear oil, so gear oil should be added according to the vehicle's specifications.